Another 4 post lift question. Which is the best?

[Riperoo]

I know, loaded question. And I know there is a million posts out there, I have read them all. Some that had the answers I was looking for were rather old, so I thought I would get a fresh perspective.

So many fricking options out there, and with my OCD I am having a hell of a time getting a decision made!! What is the best lift for the weekend hobbyist? I know that is subjective, but just throwing it out there. I keep coming back to Bendpak. Are they really that good? I hears negatives on C-channels, yet Bendpak is a c-channel and seems to be one of the most popular lifts out there.

Criteria, 4 post lift, has to have a clearance underneath at a minimum of 80 inches. Parking and storing a Dodge Magnum on the lift, and parking a Chevy avalanche under the lift. I want a rolling jack, long ramps and metal drip trays/Platform in the sub $5k range delivered. Would love to hear opinions.

Lifts I am considering

Advantage lift (close to being ruled out as they have the largest foot print)
Direct lift
Wildfire lifts (looks to be the same as the advantage)
Back Yard Buddy
Bend Pak

Looking like Bendpak HD-9xw or the HD-9stx are quickly working there way to the top of my list.

Going to be doing some mocking up in the garage this coming weekend, would love to hear everyone's opinion on the subject.

 

[Z2V]

I went with Bendpak HD-9 with RJ-45 myself. Good all around value, price, warranty, certification and design.

 

[lakeroadster]

Check out Rotary.... http://www.rotarylift.com/LIGHTDUTY/FOURPOST/

I used some duct tape to layout the post locations on the slab of my shop. Then left it there as I did my usual "stuff" to see how much the posts were in the way.

That's how I determined a 2 post was the better choice in the maintenance bay. A 4 post takes up a lot of space. But for storage, agreed, it is the better option vs 2 post.

I did end up also buying an inexpensive 4 post from Greg Smith Equipment. It was a Direct Lift... basically a Chinese product. It worked, but was no where near the quality of the Rotary lift. It was very slooooow lifting the vehicle, and lowering the vehicle. That's something to look at if you are going to use the lift a lot.

 

[Riperoo]

Check out Rotary.... http://www.rotarylift.com/LIGHTDUTY/FOURPOST/

I used some duct tape to layout the post locations on the slab of my shop. Then left it there as I did my usual "stuff" to see how much the posts were in the way.

That's how I determined a 2 post was the better choice in the maintenance bay. A 4 post takes up a lot of space. But for storage, agreed, it is the better option vs 2 post.

I did end up also buying an inexpensive 4 post from Greg Smith Equipment. It was a Direct Lift... basically a Chinese product. It worked, but was no where near the quality of the Rotary lift. It was very slooooow lifting the vehicle, and lowering the vehicle. That's something to look at if you are going to use the lift a lot.

Rotary looks like they are built like a Brick S**t house, but they fall just a hair short in my height requirement, i think there max clearance is 78.5 inches. That just cuts it too close. Thanks for the input.

 

[JimTMich]

I like Bendpak HD-9xw. Look at the massive sheaves. The #1 thing I liked was that all the sheaves have zerk grease fittings. The other lifts I looked at say to grease the sheaves, but there are no zerk fittings, so you have to take the sheaves out to grease them. I didn't want to spend time taking out the sheaves and wrestling with cables on a regular basis. Also, the "locking ladders" are adjustable so you can level the locking points. some lower priced lifts, if you want it level, you have to shim the whole lift under the feet... The rolling jack is also really nice. Lastly, I wouldn't buy a lift that isn't ALI rated period. Bendpak seems to have the best combination of engineering/certification/ and price for me. Just received mine a week ago.

 

[Riperoo]

I like Bendpak HD-9xw. Look at the massive sheaves. The #1 thing I liked was that all the sheaves have zerk grease fittings. The other lifts I looked at say to grease the sheaves, but there are no zerk fittings, so you have to take the sheaves out to grease them. I didn't want to spend time taking out the sheaves and wrestling with cables on a regular basis. Also, the "locking ladders" are adjustable so you can level the locking points. some lower priced lifts, if you want it level, you have to shim the whole lift under the feet... The rolling jack is also really nice. Lastly, I wouldn't buy a lift that isn't ALI rated period. Bendpak seems to have the best combination of engineering/certification/ and price for me. Just received mine a week ago.

Thanks!! The rolling jack, from What i am seeing it sticks 4 inches above the runway? is that indeed a fact? that seems awful high. One of my cars has about 3.5 inch of clearance at the front lip. Maybe that is with pads in? That just seems really high, I know a vette sits lower than that, and I am sure many other cars out there.

 

[ryan77]

the 4 post lift I got from Greg Smith feels stout and lifts and lowers pretty quick, maybe I got lucky.

 

[dhinsc]

Does your lift have grease fittings to lube the sheaves?

 

[Cwb90]

I spent the last 6 months looking for a lift and finally settled on the bendpak hd9xw. I couldn't be happier with my purchase. They are a quality unit and there customer service is the best I have ever seen. I spoke with there sales department and during the conversation I asked if they ever had any demo units for purchase at a lower cost. They told me that they have sometimes what they call open box units. I said I would be interested in one and about 4 weeks later they called and said they had a xw. I saved about $900 on the price of a new one. It had a few scratches on it but other than that it looked like new. They send them out with new power units and hardware kit. Mine was missing a guide block so I called them and they overnighted the piece to me. The whole experience was great and it's a great product, you won't be disappointed.

 

[Riperoo]

I spent the last 6 months looking for a lift and finally settled on the bendpak hd9xw. I couldn't be happier with my purchase. They are a quality unit and there customer service is the best I have ever seen. I spoke with there sales department and during the conversation I asked if they ever had any demo units for purchase at a lower cost. They told me that they have sometimes what they call open box units. I said I would be interested in one and about 4 weeks later they called and said they had a xw. I saved about $900 on the price of a new one. It had a few scratches on it but other than that it looked like new. They send them out with new power units and hardware kit. Mine was missing a guide block so I called them and they overnighted the piece to me. The whole experience was great and it's a great product, you won't be disappointed.

Wow, great info, I am going to lay it out this weekend and live with the taped out floor for a week or two. But the hd9xw is looking like the one. Thanks!!

 

[jfitz]

Yep, you will go crazy trying to decide which one. I also went with a Bendpak HD 9XW with an RJ45 rolling jack, castor kit, drip trays, jack tray and the 220V motor. Same responses as above but I'll add that the air locks are great and the adjustable runway width is a plus too. My neighbour has an Atlas with the lever release and has had problems with the lever adjustments. I also picked the Bendpak as it is slighter narrower than the Direct lift and Atlas lifts. For me it made it easier getting a car in/out of my garage without having to move the lift. It has no problems lifting my 08 Dodge MegaCab. Should have got one years ago. I go mine June 2015. So far, no problems at all.

 

[Riperoo]

Yep, you will go crazy trying to decide which one. I also went with a Bendpak HD 9XW with an RJ45 rolling jack, castor kit, drip trays, jack tray and the 220V motor. Same responses as above but I'll add that the air locks are great and the adjustable runway width is a plus too. My neighbour has an Atlas with the lever release and has had problems with the lever adjustments. I also picked the Bendpak as it is slighter narrower than the Direct lift and Atlas lifts. For me it made it easier getting a car in/out of my garage without having to move the lift. It has no problems lifting my 08 Dodge MegaCab. Should have got one years ago. I go mine June 2015. So far, no problems at all.

Thanks JFitz, hearing nothing but positive about the bendpak.

 

[ZipSnafu]

My vote is also with the Bendpak. Though I have a 2 post the quality and performance is very high.

 

[c39er]

I have a HD14 bendpak with two RJ7 7000 lb rolling jacks and have had it for about 6 years... No issues and great customer service!

 

[ronr80]

I also have the HD-9 along with the RJ-45 Bendpak and love it ,

 

[jrkrace]

HD-9xw here as well....Love it...

 

[stingry]

Thanks!! The rolling jack, from What i am seeing it sticks 4 inches above the runway? is that indeed a fact? that seems awful high. One of my cars has about 3.5 inch of clearance at the front lip. Maybe that is with pads in? That just seems really high, I know a vette sits lower than that, and I am sure many other cars out there.

My RJ-45 jack on my XD-9 Bendpak protrudes 3" above the ramps. This is without the pads. I like my Bendpak except for one thing. The runways have a grit embedded in the paint. Very hard to clean!! Possibly they have now went to deckplate. Other than that, good lift. another thing, the air release is so much better that the lever/linkage arrangement.

 

[HotrodHR]

Atlas 4 post ordered from Greg Smith Equipment. Great customer service. I was going to drive 4 hours oneway to pick it up... they suggested have it delivered to a local terminal, can't recall the price but it was cheaper than driving my truck with a trailer... money, time and wear and tear on my body.

The terminal loaded it up on my trailer and I drove it home, offloaded it and put it together by myself... I would not do that again!
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Shop/4-Post-Lifts